Portage la Prairie Pride organizers unfazed by protesters

Organizers say protesters held signs and handed out pamphlets with a photo of a noose

Even though protesters showed up, many continued to walk in Portage la Prairie Pride's second annual march. (Josh Wright/Portage la Prairie Pride)

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"They were set up all over town this year unfortunately and once they figured out what our route was for the parade they really jam-packed around in there," added Callie McArthur, a Pride organizer.

Portage la Prairie Pride volunteers said the protesters were singing hymns to marchers and were handing out hateful messages on pamphlets emblazoned with a photo of a noose.

McArthur said organizers are taking a proactive approach to the protesters and didn't take photos of them. The group would like to focus on love, not hate, she added.

'Not born with hate'

"I thought it was extremely tacky and offensive considering how many LGBT people kill themselves," said Garrioch, who hails from Portage, about 83 kilometres west of Winnipeg.

He's lived many of the challenges that can go along with being gay in a small town.

"It was tough. Growing up in school, it was horrible. I got bullied all the time."​ Garrioch said protesters' signs had offensive messaging that children saw. including, ​"Where will you go when you die? Will you repent for your sins? Things like that," he said.

McArthur didn't plan to speak Saturday but made an impromptu address after the protesters arrived.

"We are not born with hate in our bodies that is a learned behaviour," she told CBC News.

The parade is not going away.- Irvin Ferris

The city's mayor said he was disappointed in the protesters' behaviour.

He didn't say if his attendance at the Pride goes against Progressive Conservative Party lines. Both he and Helwer voted against Bill 18 in 2013, which requires schools to accommodate students who want to start gay-straight alliances. The PCs said it was because the NDP was playing politics at the time.